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The Chicano student oriented club commonly referred to as M.E.Ch.A hosted a fundraiser Sept. 16 that aimed to bring awareness to Mexico’s day of independence on the Bakersfield College campus.

The new club president, Tania Bernal, a human services major, was eager to bring an event that introduces BC students to her culture and helps raise funds to keep the club running.

“We’re celebrating to let students know,” said Bernal. “[To] show them our history and let them know we’re here, and why we’re here.”

The club president, along with other club members, said they were not only present to service tables offering traditional drinks and snacks such as horchata, churros, and corn, but were also available to answer any questions students had regarding the club fundraiser.

“We want to educate students about their own cultures, so they don’t forget where they came from, and get involved politically to raise self-awareness and self-determination,” said Bernal.

The Mexican Independence Day fundraiser is one of the three M.E.Ch.A normally holds a semester, according to Bernal. Proceeds will help fuel future events and help members submerge themselves into cultural activities.

“If we want to do something fun as a club this helps [cover] travel expenses and things like that,” said Catrina Aguilar, a child development major and returning club member.

Aguilar approximated that last year’s fundraising total was $2,000. And although unsure, she added that the goal for this year is to merely surpass the previous mark by $50.

Earned funds are normally distributed between M.E.Ch.A club purposes and aiding other partner organizations for the community at large, according to Aguilar.

For all that they do, club members state their purpose is promoting knowledge. “Our main goal is letting other students know about MECHA,” said Aguilar.

Silvia Zazueta, a child development major, had recently decided to join the club and admitted that joining helps fill a void.

“My family doesn’t really celebrate at home,” she said. “That’s why I joined MECHA to learn more about my culture.”

A student celebrating the day but not actually in the club, Gisella Cardenas, also a child development major, reprimanded Hispanic students who aren’t aware about their backgrounds. “I know my culture enough to know what [day] it is,” she said, and addressed disconnected students. “They should know.”

For students with further inquiries, M.E.Ch.A club meetings are held in the Executive Board Room every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.